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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 




OF 



THE LATE, LAMENTED, 



GEN. ROBERT HATTON, 



BY 



:e^oi_.:fe s. s^^unsriDEi^s, 



''•He Was Jfly Friend.''^ 



PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 



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"''•^^^VVash-mS^^* 



[As publislied in ttie Appemlix to the "Life of Gen. Robert Ilatton," by J. V. Drake. 
•lust issued and for sale at $3.00 per copy] 



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NASHVILLE, TENN.: 
MARSHALL & BRUCE, - - No. 28 DEADERICK STREET. 

~l867. 




; LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

1 I iiiiii nil. mil mil nil, JIN III,. ,„„ ,„ii ,|,„ „.,. .. 

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OF THE L-A^TE 

GENERAL ROBERT HATTON, 



BY ROLFE S. SAUNDERS. 



" Brief, brave, and gallant, was his young career!" 

Amid the countless number of brave and gallant spirits who 
fell in the gigantic struggle through which we have so recently 
passed — a contest that startled the civilized world, shocked hu- 
manity, convulsed the nation, and filled the land with mourn- 
ing and desolation and ruin, — but few, indeed, caused a deeper 
thrill of anguish and regret to flow through the whole vast ex- 
tent of his acquaintance and friends, than the death of the 
gifted, gallant, and lamented Gen. Egbert Hatton;-:^ This sad 
event cast a gloom over his native and loved Tennessee, — and 
throughout the wide expanse of his acquaintance elsewhere, — 
which caused a spontaneous wail of sorrow to flow from thous- 
sands of hearts who loved him as a man, and had watched, 
with an abiding interest, the rapid advancements he had made 
in the pathway to honor and distinction. 

jSTow that the strife is over, and the issues forever set at rest 
by the arbitrament of the sword, and the result acquiesced in 
by all the good and true men of the country, no one can justly 

* The subject of this sketch, was the early companion and bosom friend of one of 
the Editors of The Commercial, who, whilst he offers this humble tribute to his mem- 
ory, believes it will be as acceptable to the public as it is gratifying to him in offer- 
ng it, only regretting the tribute is not more worthy of the subject.— Editors Com- 
mercial. 



illl ■• 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 



look with disfavor upon an humble tribute to the noble worth 
— to the lofty qualities of mind and heart, of Eobert Hatton ; 
for, of him, truly may it be said, 

" None knew him but to love him. 
Nor named hini but to praise." 

Like nearly all of the public men of this country, who have 
made their impress upon the times, Robert Hatton was born of 
humble parentage. His father was a Methodist preacher — a 
man of strong, good sense, high character as a minister, and of 
eminent usefulness in the church ; but like most men of that 
calling, he was in humble circumstances in life, and conse- 
quently, his son had to battle his way through the world. And 
thus with most men who rise to distinction, was developed that 
self-reliance, nervous energy and dauntless intrepidity of pur- 
pose, which, in after life, distinguished him. By close applica- 
tion to study, and untiring energy, he made himself a thorough 
scholar, for one of his years, teaching school at intervals, to 
procure the necessary means, and after graduating with the 
first honors at Cumberland University, was, for several ses- 
sions. Tutor in that institution. He then entered the Law De- 
partment of the same University, founded by that great legal 
mind of the South, Hon. Ab. Caruthers, and graduated, again 
bearing off the first honors; after which he located perma- 
nently in Lebanon, and chose it as the field in which to try his 
fortunes in the legal profession. The bar at this place, at that 
time, was composed of some of the first lawyers in the country. 
Eobert L. Caruthers, who enjoyed a national reputation as a 
statesman and a jurist, and whose splendid talent and genius, 
and great moral worth, shone with undiminished luster in the 
council halls of the nation, in the palmy days of the Eepublic, 
and adorned the Supreme Bench of Tennessee, when the judi- 
ciary of our State commanded the first order of ability, was 
then at the head of the bar with a full practice. Judge John 
S. Brien, Hon. Jordan Stokes, Hon. William L. Martin, Judge 



GENERAL ROBERT HATTON, 



Jo. C. Guild, Hon. Charles Eeady, and Col. John K. Howard — 
bright galaxy in the legal sky of Tennessee — were all practic- 
ing at the same bar. But nothing daunted, young Hatton 
launched his untried bark in this sea of strife, where he would 
have to encounter the first legal talent in the State, and braved 
that theatre of action for success. Young as he was, and ad- 
verse as were the circumstances against which, as a poor, un- 
known youth, he had to contend, his ability, diligence and at- 
tainments, soon obtained for him an extensive practice ; and 
within a few brief years, in a large circuit of counties in which 
he attended court, he was engaged on one side of nearly every 
important case. Nothing short of merit, both moral and intel- 
lectual, of a high order, could have won this brilliant and al- 
most unparalleled success. The older lawyers of the bar, all 
respected and esteemed him, while the young members, his 
compeers, cherished for him the sincerest affection and re- 
gard. 

Early in life. General Hatton took a deep interest in political 
affairs, and engaged actively in the discussions of the day. He 
was a Whig of the Henry Clay school, and was a most devoted 
follower, of that illustrious statesman. He took him for a 
model, and in a number of respects, possessed many of his char- 
acteristics. He had the happy faculty Mr. Clay possessed to 
such an eminent degree, of binding men around him who clung 
to him with an affection which no disaster could thwart or cir- 
cumstance change. 

In 1852, he was a sub-Elector for his Congressional District, 
on the Scott-Graham ticket, and made considerable character as 
a public speaker. 

In 1855, he was elected to the Legislature from Wilson coun- 
ty, by the largest majority ever given in that county for any 
man, for that position. In the Legislature, though one of 
the youngest members, and in a body remarkable for the men 
of ability who composed it, he took a stand in the front ranks. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OP 



and was regarded as one of the most pi'ominent, influential, and 
useful members. At the organization of the House of Eepre- 
sentatives, his name was presented by his friends and against 
his remonstrance, as a candidate for Speaker; and in the cau- 
cus, was only defeated a few votes, by Grov. Neill S. Brown. 

In 1856, he was unanimously nominated as Elector on the 
Fillmore-Donelson ticket, for his district, and made a most vig- 
orous, able, and successful canvass, it being the only district in 
the State where the strength of the party was maintained. To 
his efforts in that great contest, was this result chiefly attribu- 
table. He was an ardent admirer of Mr. Fillmore and a warm 
personal friend of Major Donelson, and he entered the contest 
with an energy, zeal, and determination, bent on succcess ; 
and had the same canvass been made in the other portions of 
the State, the probability is, Mr. Fillmore would have received a 
decided majority. 

In 1857, he was nominated unanimously, by a State Conven- 
tion of his party, as a candidate for Governor. The party were 
largely in the minority at the time, and he was defeated. He 
was only a little past thirty-one years old, when he received this 
nomination — an honor never conferred in this State, upon any 
man, of that age, except in the single instance of the lamented 
James C. Jones. General Hatton made a thourough canvass of 
the State, and achieved the reputation of a well informed pol- 
itician, a quick and ready debater, and a most courteous and 
eloquent speaker. He surpassed the expectation of his friends, 
and by his bold, eloquent and manly speeches, won the respect 
and admiration of his political opponents. 

In 1859, he was unanimously nominated for Congress, against 
Hon. Charles Eeady, who had been elected and re-elected by 
overwhelming majorities. In that canvass. General Hatton 
displayed such masterly ability and energy, and inspired his 
friends with such enthusiasm, that he was elected by near two 
tJwusand majority ! It was, probably, the best contested race 



GENERAL ROBERT HATTON. 



that had taken place in the district since the memorable can- 
vass between John Bell, with Felix Grundy, and Eobert M. 
Burton. It was one of the greatest political victories ever won 
in a State memorable for its party conflicts ; and it was such a 
contest as would necessarily mark the victor as a man of no in- 
considerable merit or ordinary capacity. 

In Congress, he took a high position for a young member ; as 
an evidence of which he was placed by a Speaker opposed to 
him in politics, in the very important position of Chairman, of 
the Committee on Naval Affairs. He made a most useful and 
active member, looking vigilantly, after the interests of his con- 
stitutents, and zealous and watchful of the cause of the Consti- 
tution and the Union, which were ever near and dear to his 
heart. 

In the patriotic eiforts of the union members to bring about 
an amicable adjustment of the sectional and political differences 
that were dividing and distracting the country, he acted a 
prominent and influential part. Eesolutely, nobly and gallant- 
ly, to the very last hour of that turbulent session, did he, 
with President Johnson, then in the Senate, Crittenden, Doug- 
lass, Etheridge, JSTelson, and others, struggle to effect this great 
consummation, and give peace to the nation, stability to the 
Constitution, and perpetuity to the Union. 

The speech delivered by him in Congress during that session, 
abounded in the strongest appeals to the better judgment and 
nature of men, and in withering reproach of the actors and 
measures which he believed dangerous to the best interests of 
the common country. At the close of this session he returned 
home, and addressed his constituents, who were eager to listen 
to his counsels and advice in that dark hour of our country's 
gloom. It was about the last union speech made in his dis- 
trict, preceding the breaking out of the war. He dearly loved 
the Union, and gloried in the extent, progress, power, and 
majesty of the American nation ; and he inspired his constitu- 



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6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 

ents with the same patriotic sentiment and wish that sectional- 
ism might be crushed, our national troubles averted, and the 
Union, in all of its parts, preserved unimpaired, forever. He 
was among the last of the union men in the border States, to 
give up the hoj)e that the strife of sections and conflict of fac- 
tions, would pass away, civil war be averted, and the country- 
saved. With resolution, and all the power and energy he pos- 
sessed, did he steadfastly oppose every measure and movement 
looking to a divided country ; with a hopeful heart and elo- 
quent voice, did he labor and plead for a policy that would 
avert the horrors and devastations of civil war, and preserve 
peace. He had never been a sectional man. No man abhorred 
sectionalism more than he did. No man loved the Union of 
our fathers with purer or truer devotion ; but when this strug- 
gle came — when the first blow was struck, he believed it severed 
the Union forever ; and in his opinion, honestly entertained, 
however mistaken in judgment, he was, — he believed, the best 
and only hoj)e of the South, and the whole country, was, to se- 
lect a choice of the evils presented, and separate with as little 
diflSculty as j)ossible, and become two great nations instead of 
risk the chances of an annihilated and ruined country, rent with 
feuds — distracted and divided into petty governments, of which 
Mexico furnishes the mournful example. He believed, with 
Senator Douglas, that ^'■icar was disunion,'' and after it had once 
been commenced, — however much he deprecated the state of 
affairs, — he did not believe the Union could survive the contest 
and the American people ever become reconciled to live together 
again in peace and unity. He looked at the facts as he believed 
them to exist — not as he would have them ; and, however great 
his mistake, as subsequent events have developed, his opinions 
were honestly entertained ; and carrying them out, he was act- 
uated by the highest impulses of patriotism and principle. 
And in entertaining this opinion, he was not alone ; for many 
of the ablest statesmen in the North and South, whose love and 



GENERAL ROBERT HATTON. 



devotion to the Union were not to be questioned, believed as he 
did; and at that early hour of the great struggle could not see a 
ray of hope to light up the impenetrable gloom that hung as a 
pall of destruction over our beloved country. But when the 
great conflict came ; when his predictions seemed to fail ; his 
hopes appear blasted ; and the country was "precipitated" by 
the demons of sectionalism, and the eternal enemies of liberty, 
law and order, into the bloody whirlpool of civil strife, he 
joined his fortunes with his people of the South, and raised one 
of the finest regiments in either service. 

By close attention to military tactics, he soon made himself 
an efficient officer, and brought his command to excellent dis- 
cipline. He was soon called with his command to Virginia, 
where they passed through some of the most eventful scenes of 
the war, and endured hardships and privations of the most fear- 
ful character. It was, during these scenes and trials, that Gen. 
Hatton gained the deep love which his men cherished for him. 
He forgot his own personal comfort and safety in promoting 
theirs. For his intrepid valor, he was promoted, on the field of 
battle, to a Brigadier General's command ; but they lost him 
long before their trials and troubles were over. At the ever- 
memorable and hard-fought battle of Seven Pines, May 31st, 
1862, he was killed instantly, by a shell, while gallantly leading 
such a charge as would have added luster to the fame of Mar- 
shal Ney. A distinguished officer was jDrcsent and witnessed 
the scene, and pronounced him '■'■the bravest man he had ever seen 
in battle.'" Thus fell, in the prime of life and full vigor of glo- 
rious manhood, one of the foremost young men of the nation, 
mourned and lamented and honored, as few of his age have 
been, in this, or in any other age, or country. 

Few public men in this country rose so rapidly to positions of 
honor and distinction, and few, indeed, had so bright a prospect 
in the future. He had set his mark high, and with a brave, 
stout heart, and noble resolve, which no obstacle could thwart. 



8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GEN. ROBERT HATTON. 

or misfortune dampen, lie was rapidly working up to the goal 
of bis ambition ; and had he lived, the great contest, in which 
he had given all his energies of mind and soul, would doubtless 
have furnished the theatre where history would have crowned 
him among the brightest heroes of the great struggle ; and the 
future annals of the country, have been radiant Avith his splen- 
did achievements in the council halls of the nation. His 
noble character, his kind and generous heart, his open, frank 

and manlj- nature, 

" a soul of courage all compact," 

made him a favorite wherever known, and bound around hiia 
troops of friends who loved him with an affection and remem- 
brance, never to be diminished or forgotten. 

Brave, gallant, generous, noble Eobert Hatton ! Thy pure 
spirit hath departed from the walks of men, and been wafted on 
high to the bosom of thy God ; but the tender and endearing 
recollection of thee, will remain fresh and green forever, and 
thy name will live and be cherished, 

" Wheu marble moulders, and wheu records fail !" 




■"^^S^i \Jd J o c ( \2/ 'yo'^i^^^- 



LiBRflRV OF CONGRESS 



I 



013 700 



311 9^ 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 700 3119 



HoUinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3-1955 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




013 700 3119 9'- 



HoUinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3'1955 



